Community news for South Windsor edition

Reminder News

CRIS Radio honors its volunteers

AREAWIDE - CRIS Radio volunteers were honored for their long-standing service at a special reception held recently at the Governor's Mansion. CRIS, a 36-year-old nonprofit, provides audio access to news and information featured in nearly 70 magazines and newspapers, as well as classroom materials, for children and adults who are blind or print-challenged due to physical, learning, intellectual or emotional disabilities.

Several volunteers were recognized for celebrating milestone anniversaries. They include: Jim MacPherson of South Windsor, a CRIS volunteer for 35 years, and Pete Anderson of Southington, celebrating 30 years. Henry Savage of West Hartford and Mary Jo Martin of Glastonbury also celebrated special anniversaries, marking 25 years of volunteer service at CRIS.

CRIS operates with the dedication of more than 300 volunteers at its broadcast center in Windsor and regional studios located in Danbury, Norwich, Trumbull and West Haven, and at ESPN in Bristol. For more information, go to http://www.crisradio.org, email info@crisradio.org or call 860-527-8000.

In the photo: Jim MacPherson of South Windsor was presented a plaque from Diane Weaver Dunne, CRIS Radio executive director, honoring him for his 35 years as a CRIS volunteer.

SBM Charitable Foundation Scholarship awards

SOUTH WINDSOR - At its annual Scholarship Reception held on June 9, the SBM Charitable Foundation ("SBMCF") recently awarded 118 college scholarships, totaling $213,500 to area students. There were 39 new recipients and 85 returning awardees, including seven graduate students. Beginning with the fall 2015 semester, the students, residents of 40 Connecticut cities and towns, will be enrolled in 16 Connecticut colleges and universities.

The SBM Charitable Foundation is located at 935 Main St. in downtown Manchester. For more information visit http://www.sbmfoundation.org.

South Windsor Senior Center trip

SOUTH WINDSOR - South Windsor Seniors Day Trip: Seafood & Sunflowers, Monday, July 20. Travel to Buttonwood Farm in Griswold, to enjoy their annual Sunflower Festival with 14 acres of sunflowers in bloom. A portion of the cost paid for this trip will be donated to Make A Wish Foundation by the farm. Weather permitting, enjoy a wagon ride through the sunflower fields followed by a delicious scoop of the farm's homemade ice cream. Have lunch at George's of Galilee Waterfront Seafood Restaurant in Narragansett, RI overlooking the Block Island Sound in the picturesque fishing port of Galilee. Motorcoach departs at 9:30 a.m. from Geissler's in South Windsor and will return approx. 6 p.m. Cost: $91 payable to Tours of Distinction includes donation to Make A Wish Foundation, scoop of ice cream, lunch, motorcoach transportation, Tours of Distinction tour escort, all taxes and gratuities including driver & escort. Questions, call Tracy Conery 860-648-6361, ext 340.

South Windsor Chamber of Commerce golf tournament

SOUTH WINDSOR - The South Windsor Chamber of Commerce will hold its 25th annual golf tournament Aug. 6 at Topstone Golf Course.

Early bird registration is available for $125 per person before July 1. Registration includes 18 holes of golf with a cart, continental breakfast, lunch, dinner, prizes and giveaways. There will also be several contests on the course during the day.

SOUTH WINDSOR - The South Windsor Public Library, 1550 Sullivan Ave, South Windsor, will offer the following children's programs and events. Call 860-644-5404 for more information.

Junior Makers LEGO and DUPLO Club - For all ages. Join others who love to build with LEGO bricks on Saturday, July 18, from 10 to 11 a.m. in the Children's Program Room. Your creations will be put on display in the Children's Department, if you want. No registration is necessary. This club is not affiliated with or sponsored by LEGO and there is no charge to attend.

Super Stories - This half hour program is for families and their children ages 3 and older. We will be celebrating all kinds of heroes. After story time, feel free to visit our craft table. No registration is necessary for this free program. Dates are: Mondays: July 20, 27, and Aug. 3 from 6:30 to 7 p.m.

Super Stories ReRun - This half hour program is for families and their children ages 3 and older. This program is a duplicate of the Monday evening program. We will be celebrating all kinds of heroes. After story time please feel free to visit our craft table. No registration is necessary and the program is free. Dates are: Tuesdays July 21, 28, and Aug. 4 from 2 to 2:30 p.m.

Reel Heroes - This program is for those children going into 6th grade and older. We will be showing some G, PG and PG-13 movies on Wednesdays July 22, and 29 from 6:30-8 p.m. Snacks will be provided or you may bring your own. No registration is necessary for this free program. Call or visit the library to see what movie we are showing.

Read to Josie - Mrs. Charbonneau will bring her trained dog Josie on Wednesday July 22, Aug. 5 and 12, from 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. so that children may read books to her. Registration is necessary. This program is free.

Super Tots - There is no registration for this free program for children ages 3 months to 3 years. This half hour program will include stories, songs and activities that will bring out the super in everyone. After the program, there will be time for free play. Dates are: Fridays July 17, 24, and 31 at 10 a.m.

Friday Family Films - There is no registration necessary for these free showings of G rated films shown Fridays July 17, 24, 31, and Aug. 7 at 1:30 p.m. Snacks will be provided or you may bring your own. Call or visit the library to see what film we're showing.

Percy Jackson Trivia Contest, Thursday, July 16, at 2 p.m. - For children going into 6th grade and older. In honor of the 10th anniversary of the publishing of "Percy Jackson: Lightning Thief," we're bringing back this popular free program. Christoper Hurlbert, also known as The Magic of Christopher, will be your emcee as you pit your knowledge of the Percy Jackson series against your friends. Registration is necessary as space is limited. Prizes will be awarded. You do not have to participate in the contest; you can be part of the fun by cheering on your favorite contestant.

SOUTH WINDSOR - Several local residents earned a spot on the honor roll during the past year at Kingswood Oxford School. To make the honor roll, a student must have a B+ average with no grade lower than a C.

SOUTH WINDSOR - Janki H. Viroja, a resident of South Windsor, has recently been named to the Dean's List at Boston University for the spring semester. Each school and college at Boston University has their own criterion for the Dean's List, but students generally must attain a 3.5 grade point average (on a 4.0 scale), or be in the top 30 percent of their class, as well as a full course load as a full time student.

Vendor space available

SOUTH WINDSOR - Be a part of the 123rd Wapping Fair, the largest project run by the South Windsor Jaycees. Over 15,000 people visit the Wapping Fair from Sept. 10 - 13. There is both indoor and outdoor space at reasonable rates. A limited number of weekend only spaces are available. All booths include passes to the fair. Last year all our commercial space was sold out, so there are limited openings available. New vendors are accepted on a first come-first serve basis. The fair limits similar vendors.

SOUTH WINDSOR - Taylor Baker, Alexis Bouffard and Krystiana Costas, all of South Windsor were named to the Dean's List at the University of New Haven for the spring 2015 semester. Full-time undergraduate students must have a 3.50 or better cumulative GPA for the semester to be eligible for the Dean's List.

Community Food Drive

SOUTH WINDSOR - South Windsor Democratic Town Committee announces that its annual Community Food Drive in July to benefit the South Windsor Food Pantry will be held on Saturday, July 18, at South Windsor Geissler's Supermarket, 965 Sullivan Ave. and at Super Stop & Shop at Town Center, 1739 Ellington Road. Non-perishable food items and paper goods will be collected by volunteers outside each grocery store from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m.

Of special need during the summer months are non-perishable "kid-friendly" meals, snacks (graham crackers, pretzels), and juices. Also in high and constant need are cereals, meals in a can, especially tuna fish, and spaghetti sauce, baked beans, peanut butter, and jelly. Cooking oil, coffee, tea, mayonnaise and other condiments also are welcomed. Paper towels, Kleenex, toilet tissue, and personal hygiene products continually remain in short supply.

Any non-perishable donation is welcome, including monetary donations. Checks may be made out to the South Windsor Food Pantry. Any community member unable to donate on July 18 but wishing to make a non-perishable food or a money donation is welcome to contact committee co-chairs, Peter and Daria Plummer, 860-432-8403. Arrangements will be made for a pick-up of items.

President's List at Western New England University

SOUTH WINDSOR - Eric P. Koboski and Jacob A. Singer, both of South Windsor, were named to the President's List at Western New England for the spring semester of 2015. Students are named to the President's List for achieving a semester grade point average of 3.80 or higher.

Dean's List at Western New England University

SOUTH WINDSOR - Adam T. Zimmerman, Anthony Coralli, Alayna M. Wilson, Elisheva S. DeFeo and Richard L. Landino, all of South Windsor, were named to Dean's List at Western New England for the spring semester of 2015. Students are named to the Dean's List for achieving a semester grade point average of 3.30 or higher.

South Windsor American Legion Post 133 meeting

SOUTH WINDSOR - South Windsor American Legion Post 133 will meet on Tuesday, July 21, at 7 p.m. in the Madden Room on the lower level of South Windsor town hall. Members are asked to bring non-perishable food items to be donated to the food pantry. All veterans are invited to attend. If you need a ride to the meeting, call Roger Anderson at 860-528-4338.

Colin Mann McConnell, son, to Nicole (Hindson) and Kevin McConnell of South Windsor, May 30.

Ilsa Peyton Maurus, daughter, to Hannah Anderson and William Maurus of South Windsor, May 30.

Local resident releases book on marriage and religious differences

SOUTH WINDSOR - Energion Publications announces the release of a new book written by a South Windsor resident and pastor in Windsor, Rev. Dr. Robert LaRochelle. This book, titled "A Home United : Strategies for Couples with Different Religious Beliefs," deals with the reality of relationships where religious differences exist.

A slim volume filled with helpful discussion questions, A Home United should spark important conversations for both couples and congregations, as we move together into a more religiously plural country. Bob LaRochelle, a progressive Protestant minister married to a Catholic woman, wrestles with the challenges and affirms the benefits of interfaith families in a way that will be helpful to Christians.

Recent college graduates

Allyson Fournier, of South Windsor, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from Tufts University, Medford, Mass., on May 17.

Krystiana Costas, Michael Furbish, Rafael Gonzalez, all of South Windsor, graduated from the University of New Haven in May.

Elizabeth Deffley, of South Windsor, graduated with a degree in Social Work from James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA, on May 8.

Steven Lines, of South Windsor, graduated with a degree in Biology from James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA, on May 8.

Senior activities at Charles N Enes Community Center

SOUTH WINDSOR – The following senior activities are offered at the Charles N Enes Community Center. For more information, contact Andrea Cofrancesco at 860-648-6357. You can also get the Senior Newsletter for free. South Windsor residents 55 and over can get the monthly newsletter emailed, by regular mail or by picking it up at the Community Center. Lots more in the newsletter including trips. Call 860-648-6361, ext. 335 to be added to the mailing list. You may also find the senior newsletter on our town website: http://www.southwindsor.org

"Ooops, I Lost My Keys!"- Join Kate Batelmo, a social worker from Kimberly Hall Rehab on Wednesday, July 22 at 10:30 a.m. for a presentation for people caring for a loved one with dementia. Kate will talk about the different types of dementia and how it can affect people. She will also give helpful tips on how to communicate with someone with dementia. Please call to register for this free program.

Community Renewal Team Summer Picnic—Friday, July 24, It's finally summer and we would like to celebrate with a picnic lunch sponsored by CRT, the folks that provide our daily senior nutrition program! The following menu will be provided exclusively to our senior center on this day: BBQ Chicken, Baked Beans, Coleslaw, Corn Muffins, Watermelon and Homemade Cookies! If you wish to sign up for this lunch, we ask that you register by July 20, if possible, or at the latest by Noon the day before: 860-648-6361 ext. 328. Transportation is available.

Weekly activities

Stop in for a friendly game of shuffleboard on our patio, weather permitting.